8,000,000 Views!

Mahalo to all of our valued contributors, readers, and subscribers, you are all appreciated! This HNL RareBirds™ website has crossed the 8,000,000 post and page views this evening! It's our fastest time to grow 1,000,000 views, which has been done in 42 days!

Stratolaunch's N949SL

Stratolaunch's 747-41R, N949SL "Spirit of Mojave" (c/n 32745, l/n 1287), is making a stop at KOA from MHV as STRAT1. This 747 is a launch vehicle for the Talon-A3 hypersonic test vehicle.

32745's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Virgin Atlantic as G-VWOW "Cosmic Girl", under lease from Boeing Capital.

Nov 2015: Acquired by Virgin Galactic as N744VG "Cosmic Girl", as a launch platform.

Jly 2017: Project re-named Virgin Orbit.

Oct 2023: Acquired by Stratolaunch as N744VG "Spirit of Mojave".

Apr 2024: Re-registered as N949SL "Spirit of Mojave".

30 May 2026 - 16:00 UPDATE

N949SL departed for GUM this afternoon.

HDOT-A To Temporary Night Closure For Runway 8R/26L

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports will be temporarily closing HNL's Runway 8R/26L from 01 June to 08 June for repairs. The closure will start at 16:00, and re-open at 04:00 nightly. Runway 8L and 4R will handle the arrivals, and 8L will handle departures.

Nothing was mentioned should the traffic pattern need to switch to 22/26 operations.

Further details in this HDOT news release.

Virgin Australia Regional's VH-E2D

Virgin Australia Regional is taking delivery of VH-E2D "Lucky Bay" (msn 19020221). This E190-E2 is making its delivery flight from SJK to PER, with stops at BGI, OPF, TUS, KOA, NAN, and BNE as VOZ9943. It's KOA overnight stop is tonight.

VQ-CCO

Leasing company Avolon is having VQ-CCO (msn 12964), a white-tail A320-251N, is ferrying from SAL [El Salvador International Airport, San Salvador, El Salvador] to CGK, with stops at SBD, HNL, and GUM, bound for a new lessee. It's overnight stop at HNL is tonight.

12964's History:

Dec 2025: Delivered to Avianca Colombia as N909AV, leased from Avolon. Did not enter service, and stored at MDE.

Feb 2026: Ferried to BOG for storage.

May 2026: Ferried to SAL for prep to new lessee.

30 May 2026 UPDATE

VQ-CCO departed for GUM this morning.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VE

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of their third 737-8 this month, with VH-8VE "Kingscliff Beach" (c/n 67041, l/n 9646). It left MLB yesterday, following in-flight entertainment system upgrades, and is making its overnight stop at KOA tonight. VH-8VE arrived from ONT this afternoon as VOZ9947.

China Southern Airlines' B-228T

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-228T (c/n 66424, l/n 9653) today. This 737-8, under lease from Sumisho Air Lease, is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CSN5681.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 330002

330002 (msn 1653), the CC-330 Husky from the Royal Canadian Air Force's 437 Squadron, is making another stop at HIK, from FAI, as CFC3417.

29 MAY 2026 UPDATE

330002 departed for YOW as CFC3417.

QantasLink's VH-X4L

National Jet Systems is taking delivery of VH-X4L "Blue Tonge Lizard" (msn 55447). This QantasLink-liveried A220-300 (BD-500-1A11) is making its delivery flight from YMX to CBR, with stops at YVR, HNL, and MAJ, as QLK6076. It departed YMX yesterday, and is making its HNL overnight stop today.

Pacific Flight Academy's N83PF Ditching

N83PF (msn 412A), a Sling LSA owned by Pacific Flight Academy, ditched two miles from LUP. This LSA was on a flight on a round-trip training flight out of HNL, and was on final approach for LUP's Runway 5. It went down at 11:43HAST, and both occupants extricated themselves, and swam to the Kalaupapa National Park.

Further information in this KITV Island News report.

Sun Country Airlines' N820SY

Sun Country Airlines' N820SY (c/n 39951, l/n 5166, f/n 820) is making a stop at HNL from POB [Fort Liberty, Fayetteville, NC], via ONT, as SCX8907. This 737-8FH was painted in the new Sun Country livery last autumn.

29 May 2026 UPDATE

N820SY has been towed to park on Taxiway F.

30 May 2026 UPDATE

N820SY departed for POB, with a stop at ONT, as SCX8924.

Singapore Airlines' 9V-MBW

Singapore Airlines is taking delivery of 9V-MBW (c/n 44267, l/n 9648) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SIN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as SIA8890.

Royal Australian Air Force's A47-014

The Royal Australian Air Force is taking delivery of A47-014 (c/n 64752, l/n 9618) today. This P-8A is making its delivery flight from BFI to YPED, with stops at HIK and NAN, as POSIDN1. It will be  assigned to 11 Squadron, 92 Wing.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVR

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-8 in six days today. 9M-MVR (c/n 68153, l/n 9640) is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5045.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VI

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of their 150th 737 with VH-8VI "Lake Centenary" (c/n 67039, l/n 9571). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (after IFE upgrades) to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. VH-8VI has been painted in the original red fuselage dating back its days as Virgin Blue, and mixing its current grey colors.

VP-CTT

Phenix Jet Cayman's 737-7ZH BBJ, VP-CTT (c/n 38751, l/n 3796), is making its first HNL stop for 2026. Flying as CPJ88, this BBJ arrived from NRT this morning.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVP

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8 in three days with 9M-MVP (c/n 68138, l/n 9591). It's making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5043.

Royal Canadian Air Force's 330002

330002 (msn 1653), a CC-330 Husky from the Royal Canadian Air Force's 437 Squadron is making a stop at HNL from YOW, via MEM and PHX, as CFC3467.

18 May 2026 UPDATE

330002 departed for YOW today as CFC3467.

Air Canada Rouge Takes Over YVR-HNL Service

Beginning this evening, Air Canada Rouge has taken over the nightly 737-8 YVR-HNL service from parent Air Canada, that was ACA519/518. The flight code is now ROU1783, and the return flight is now ROU1784. The 737-8s have small Air Canada Rouge decals by the L1 door, and is not expected to have its own livery. C-FSJH (c/n 61218, l/n 6886, f/n 511) is making this evening's flight

Seasonal Air Canada service to OGG and KOA ended in the last week of April. When service resumes in October, those will flights will be flown as Air Canada Rouge 737-8s.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVQ

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVQ (c/n 68152, l/n 9634) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5041.

China Southern Airlines' N253BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N253BE (c/n 44908, l/n 9649) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8 is flying as BOE142, and is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will be registered as B-228P upon delivery from HSN.

Allegiant Air Completes Sun Country Airlines Acquisiton

Upon receiving federal government approval, Allegiant Air's acquisition of Sun Country Airlines closes today. The two airlines will continue to operate separately.

Further information in this Allegiant Air web page.

On a related note, Sun Country Airlines has painted N826SY in the airline's 1990-era livery. Reminiscent of the DC-10s that flew between LAX and HNL in the mid-1990s, that bore the same livery.

Further information in this Sun Country Airlines new release.

Korean Air And Asian Airlines Approve Merger

Airways Magazine reports via an Instagram post, that the board of directors for both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines voted to approve the merger of the two carriers today. Full integration into Korean Air is set for 17 December 2026.

Alaska Airlines Launches BUR-HNL Service

Alaska Airlines launched seasonal daily 737-8 service between BUR and HNL today. The service will through 18 August 2026.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines news release, and this Instagram reel by the Hollywood-Burbank Airport Instagram page.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 "Be Brave Like Bucha" (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making a stop at KOA this afternoon. This Ruslan is arriving from MSY as ADB787F.

Global Jet Luxembourg's LX-NYX

Global Jet Luxembourg's LX-NYX (msn 10897) is making a brief fuel stop at HNL tonight from LAX as SVW97YX, and will continue onto SYD. This A319-153N ACJ's flight originated from EAP [Europort Basel (Basle-Mulhouse Airport), Basel, Switzerland], and made fuel stops at SNN, MIA, and LAX.

AirAsia Orders 150 A220-300s

Malaysia's AirAsia has placed a firm order with Airbus Canada for 150 A220-300s, with options for another 150 airliners. AirAsia will be the first A220-300 customer to have the 160-seat high density cabin configuration. AirAsia is also looking at the proposed A220-500 variant as a potential replacement of their A320-200ceo fleet. There may be a possibility of the AirAsia A220-300s delivering through Hawai‘i.

Further information in this AirAsia news release.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VH

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8VH "Port Noarlunga" (c/n 67038, l/n 9567) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA.

HNL's Runway 4L Departures Only

The FAA has designated Runway 4L as a departures only runway, while Runway 4R will be used for arrivals.

Further information in this FAA Safety pdf.

Sun Country Airlines' N809SY

Sun Country Airlines' N809SY (c/n 30863, l/n 1669) is making another stop at HNL, from ADW via ONT, as SCX8905. This Golden Gophers-clad 737-8Q8 arrived this afternoon, and has been moved to park on Taxiway F.

09 MAY 2026 UPDATE

N809SY was moved to the ‘Ohana ramp, then departed for KOA as SCX8954, then returned to HNL as SCX8955.

10 May 2026 UPDATE

N809SY departed for LAX this afternoon as SCX9209.

11 May 2026 UPDATE

N809SY flew from LAX to KOA as SCX8501, then returned to LAX as SCX8502.

12 May 2026 UPDATE

N809SY is returning to HNL from LAX today as SCX9209.

13 May 2026 UPDATE

N809SY departed for LIH this morning, then continued onto KOA as SCX8910.

16 May 2026 UPDATE

N809SY departed for ADW today, via ONT, as SCX8926.

Federal Express 757 Rotations

Federal Express is rotating 757-200Fs flying inter-island cargo. N939FD "Camila" (c/n 24528, l/n 250, f/n 939) will depart for IND today as FDX9078. On 04 May, N948FD "Anissa" (c/n 25059, l/n 363, f/n 948), returned to HNL from MEM, via OAK, as FDX9077.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CGV

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK (msn 6344610) is returning to LRD, from its deployment to GUM for its relief flights to SPN from Super Typhoon Sinlaku. It's making an overnight stop at HNL today from MAJ as UKL5033, and will continue onto SBD tomorrow.

Delta Air Lines' N411DX

Delta Air Lines' Team USA-liveried A330-941, N411DX (msn 1991) made its first appearance at HNL today. It arrived from ATL as DAL837, then continued onto MSP as DAL313.

03 May 2026 UPDATE

N411DX returned to HNL from MSP today, as DAL312, then departed for ATL as DAL309.

Air Canada's YVR-HNL Adjustment

With the wind down of the winter season, Air Canada switched its daytime flight from YVR to HNL [ACA517/516] from a daily 737-8 service, to a weekly 787-9 flight on Saturdays. C-FGDX (c/n 35269, l/n 395, f/n 836) made today's flight from YVR.

Southwest Airlines' N8719Q

Southwest Airlines' N8719Q "Liberty One" (c/n 42572, l/n 7020, f/n 8719) made its first appearance at HNL today. This 737-8 arrived from SMF this morning as SWA4335, and departed for LGB as SWA2378 a few hours later.

02 May 2026 UPDATE

"Liberty One" returned to HNL from LGB as SWA1987 today, then departed for SJC, as SWA936, a couple of hours later.

China Southern Airlines' N230BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N230BE (c/n 44407, l/n 9595) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8 is flying as BOE141, and is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will be registered as B-228N upon delivery from HSN.

Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations

Spirit Airlines ceased operations immediately after its last flight, NKS1833 [DTW-DFW] by N604NK (msn 4431), an A320-232. The airline tried to get a $500M bailout from the federal government, but failed due to financial complications.

While there is no direct impact to Hawai‘i, there will be residual effects as the other airlines work to assist stranded Spirit passengers get on flights.

We wish those Spirit Airlines employees well, and hope they can find work with other carrriers.

Further information in this Fox Business article.

There may be a chance that some airlines in Asia will pick up some of Spirit's Airbus fleet. China Airlines is expected to lease three ex-Spirit A321-200Ns, on top of the two they have already leased that stopped through HNL.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Boeing Order

Biman Bangladesh Airlines placed an order with Boeing for four 737-8s, two 787-9s and eight 787-10s. No delivery dates have been set for this 14-plane order. We are unsure if Biman Bangladesh will make their 737-8 delivery flights across the Pacific.

Further information in this Boeing Media new release.